BBC One will soon disappear from some set-top boxes forever because they’re too old.
The broadcaster is closing down SD (standard definition) channels on satellite and switching them to HD (high definition) only instead.
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It means people will finally be able to watch their local news on the main channel in HD.
But dated Freesat and Sky satellite set-top boxes only capable of handling SD channels won’t be able to tune in once the changes happen.
The BBC is switching over regional and nation variations of BBC One and Two from now until February.
By early 2024, the broadcaster will stop all SD broadcasts via satellite, so anyone affected will need to upgrade their set-top box now.
The switch started this week with BBC One South, BBC One Northern Ireland and BBC Two Northern Ireland.
Below are the dates your local channels will change over.
23 January (Freesat) / 24 January (Sky)
- BBC One South
- BBC One Northern Ireland
- BBC Two Northern Ireland
30 January (Freesat) / 31 January (Sky)
- BBC One East
- BBC One East Midlands
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6 February (Freesat) / 7 February (Sky)
- BBC ALBA
- BBC One West Midlands
- BBC One East Yorkshire and Lincolnshire
- BBC One Wales
- BBC Two Wales
13 February (Freesat) / 14 February (Sky)
- BBC Red Button (RB1)
- BBC One West
- BBC One South West
- BBC One Channel Islands
- BBC One London
20 February (Freesat) / 21 February (Sky)
- BBC Parliament
- BBC One North East and Cumbria
- BBC One North West
- BBC One Yorkshire
- BBC One Scotland
22 February (Freesat) / 23 February (Sky)
- BBC One South East
If you’re unsure whether you are affected, there is a special channel on Freesat that allows you to check.
It’s on channel 799.
If your set-top box is fine, it’ll show a “Good news!’ message.
But if it says “Sorry, your satellite set-top box is not capable of receiving high definition services” then you’ll need to get a replacement to continue receiving BBC channels in future.
Old Sky SD-only devices can check by going to channel 105.
If you see “Channel 5 HD” then you’re fine, but if it’s just “Channel 5” then you can only receive SD channels.
Those on Freeview won’t need to make any changes.
Local versions of BBC One HD will soon appear on channel 101, and an SD version will continue on channel 1.
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This post first appeared on Thesun.co.uk
